Mark · Chapter 9 · Faith
Mark 9:23 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”"
KJV · King James Version
"1161 Jesus2424 said2036 unto him846, If1487 thou canst1410 believe4100, all things3956 are possible1415 to him846 that believeth4100."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses unto, thou, canst, that, while the WEB renders these as you, can, who, believes. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Mark 9:23 in Mark 9
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Mark 9:23 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Mark 9. Read the full chapter →
- v.21 He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has come to him?” He said, “From childhood.
- v.22 Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.”
- v.23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
- v.24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
- v.25 When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”
Book background
About the Book of Mark
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Gospel
- Author
- John Mark, recording Peter's testimony
- Date written
- c. 55–65 AD
- Audience
- Roman / Gentile Christians
- Chapters
- 16
Mark is the shortest, most action-driven Gospel — the word "immediately" appears more than 40 times. Mark presents Jesus as the suffering Servant who came "not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (10:45). The book accelerates toward the cross and the empty tomb.
Setting: Likely written in Rome; the earliest of the Gospels.
Key themes: servant · action · cross · discipleship · authority
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Mark 9:23
Mark 9:23 contains 16 words in 3 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Jesus said to him
JSTH
- 2
“If you can believe
IYCB
- 3
all things are possible to him who believes.”
ATAPTH
Frequently asked
FAQ about Mark 9:23
What does Mark 9:23 say?
Mark 9:23 reads: "Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”" — from the New Testament, Mark (Gospel). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Mark 9:23 in?
Mark 9:23 is in the book of Mark, traditionally attributed to John Mark, recording Peter's testimony and written around c. 55–65 AD. Mark is gospel in the New Testament, originally addressed to Roman / Gentile Christians. Best known for "the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve".
What is Mark 9:23 about?
Mark 9:23 is primarily a Bible verse about Faith. Within Mark, Mark is the shortest, most action-driven Gospel — the word "immediately" appears more than 40 times. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Mark 9:23 in WEB and KJV?
Mark 9:23 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "1161 Jesus2424 said2036 unto him846, If1487 thou canst1410 believe4100, all things3956 are possible1415 to him846 that believeth4100.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Mark 9:23?
Mark 9:23 is 16 words in the WEB translation (85 characters), broken into 3 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 5 seconds.
How can I memorise Mark 9:23?
To memorise Mark 9:23, split it into its 3 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Mark 9:23 matter in Mark?
Mark is the shortest, most action-driven Gospel — the word "immediately" appears more than 40 times. Mark presents Jesus as the suffering Servant who came "not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (10:45). The book accelerates toward the cross and the empty tomb. Mark 9:23 sits within this larger story — Mark as a whole emphasises servant, action, cross.
How can I apply Mark 9:23 today?
Many readers use Mark 9:23 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Mark 9:23 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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Psalms 23:1
“A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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Matthew 6:33
“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Proverbs 3:6
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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Matthew 7:7
““Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.”
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More featured verses in Mark
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Mark 12:31
“The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.””
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Mark 10:27
“Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.””
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Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.”
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Mark 12:30
“you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first comman…”
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